ISRAEL, HAMAS AGREE TO OPEN-ENDED CEASE-FIRE:Israel and Hamas agreed to their first open-ended cease-fire after seven weeks of military confrontation yesterday and will resume truce talks in Cairo in the coming days. Though nine previous cease-fires have come and gone since Israel’s offensive against Hamas began July 8, the latest deal was greeted in Gaza City with celebratory gunfire, street celebrations and honking car horns. The agreement was reached just hours after Israeli warplanes destroyed one high-rise building in Gaza City and severely damaged another—marking a shift in tactics that observers said escalated pressure on Hamas. The U.S., which has been largely sidelined in talks dominated by Israel, Hamas and Egypt, welcomed the truce, calling on both sides to “fully and completely comply with its terms.” The longest of the last nine cease-fires had a term of five days, and all but three truces broke down before reaching their full duration. Joshua Mitnick and Asa Fitch report.

JANET HOOK’S EARLY HIT: SEN. CORY BOOKER TRIES TO FIRE UP THE BASE
In a hard fought midterm election campaign that hinges heavily on galvanizing the party’s political base, Democrats have found a potent weapon in one lowly freshman senator. Sen. Cory Booker (D., N.J.) has been campaigning and raising money for vulnerable Democratic senators all over the country — even, on Tuesday, in Alaska, four time zones and 4,000 miles away from his home state. For more on what this says about the Democratic Party in 2014, read Janet Hook’s full post in Washington Wire.

Associated Press

WSJ STORIES YOU SHOULDN’T MISSRUSSIA-UKRAINE TALKS YIELD LITTLE PROGRESS: Face-to-face between the Russian and Ukrainian presidents failed to produce a breakthrough for ending the conflict over eastern Ukraine. The one-on-one session, which Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko described as “tough and complex,” ended early today after a day of talks on the crisis. Mr. Poroshenko said he would prepare a “road map” toward a possible cease-fire with the pro-Russia separatists, while Russia’s President Vladimir Putin expressed support as well as skepticism.Andrey Ostroukh and Alan Cullison report.

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TUESDAY NIGHT PRIMARY RESULTS:Four states held primary elections or runoffs last night. In Florida, former Gov. Charlie Crist secured the Democratic nomination—his first win as a Democrat—and will face off against Republican Gov. Rick Scott this November. In Arizona, state treasurer Doug Ducey, who had been endorsed by Sen. Ted Cruz, won the Republican primary and will face Democrat Fred DuVal this fall in the race to succeed Republican Gov. Jan Brewer, who isn’t seeking a third term. Rebecca Ballhaus reports on those races and more.

Associated Press

FARM BILL HAS BECOME MIDTERM FLASH POINT: The struggle to pass the $956 billion farm bill, which ended a system of direct payments to farmers, beefed up the crop-insurance program and scaled back nutrition funding, has made it a potent political issue. Democrats in at least six battleground states in this year’s tight contest to determine control of the Senate are highlighting their support for the farm bill passed by Congress this year, while many GOP candidates are saying Congress missed an opportunity to overhaul costly food-stamp and farm programs. Kristina Peterson reports.

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BERKSHIRE, BURGER KING DEAL DRAWS CRITICISM:Burger King defended its acquisition of Tim Hortons as the hamburger chain came under criticism for its effort, backed by billionaire investor Warren Buffett, to move the brand to lower-tax Canada. The deal is also structured to shield Burger King holders from capital-gains taxes. Executives of Burger King and its owner, however, said the deal is aimed instead at capturing growth opportunities. Anupreeta Das and Liz Hoffman report. The White House—caught in an awkward positiondue to the president’s past praise of Mr. Buffett for his stance on excessive tax breaks—has declined to comment on the subject.

The Examiner’s Byron York, after interviewing Sen. Marco Rubio, writes that the Florida Republican now “freely concedes” that the comprehensive immigration bill he worked so hard to push through the Senate was “fatally flawed in light of today’s political environment.” The reason: Americans won’t accept a path toward legalization for illegal aliens in a comprehensive bill but will instead insist on steps to secure the border first.

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About Washington Wire

Washington Wire is one of the oldest standing features in American journalism. Since the Wire launched on Sept. 20, 1940, the Journal has offered readers an informal look at the capital. Now online, the Wire provides a succession of glimpses at what’s happening behind hot stories and warnings of what to watch for in the days ahead. The Wire is led by Reid J. Epstein, with contributions from the rest of the bureau. Washington Wire now also includes Think Tank, our home for outside analysis from policy and political thinkers.